Chapter 897 The Complicated Situation

Once the judge finished his statement, the hall erupted into an uproar and everyone in the crowd looked at each other in shock and astonishment. Alexander and Samson stood tall, with satisfied smirks gracing their faces, as everything was happening just as they had planned. No one knew when Alyssa would reappear, after all. They could make the most of the opportunity to determine the final result. Anyway, in their opinion, Alyssa would side with the Qi Clan. They were pretty sure about that.

"I object!" A powerful voice broke through the din. Lucilla protested and looked indignant. "I can't agree to this. I think the final result should be decided by the princess herself!" She was certain at this point that this had been part of some kind of secret plot laid down by the Qi Clan.

"Chief Lucilla, you've made your discontent rather obvious. Are you saying that you believe that the five judges' assessment is unjustifiable? Or you are just unwilling to admit that the Cao Clan is inferior to the Qi Clan?" Alexander sneered as he looked to her direction.

"Let's not pretend, Chief Alexander. You and I are both well aware of exactly why I'm objecting to this farce," Lucilla replied in an icy tone.

"Regardless of the Cao Clan's objection, you do realize that this is all in vain, don't you?" asked one of the judges as he looked at her doubtfully. "We five judges have made a unanimous decision. In accordance with the rules of the Beast Master Contest, no clan has the right to question our final decision once we make it. Otherwise, their qualification to attend the next year's contest will be canceled. We're certain such an outcome isn't what you want."

At such a pronouncement, Lucille felt the fury rising up to her throat. She knew that the judges had taken the Qi Clan's side and colluded with them secretly. Yet, they still pretended to be so justified and upright. To them, the Cao Clan certainly wasn't a threat.

"Your Royal Highness, as the five judges have made their decision, you're willing to personally make this official with a formal announcement, aren't you? Your Royal Highness, you agree that the Qi Clan deserves this victory, right?" Samson implored as he looked towards Woods. His words held an unseen weight. If everyone was certain that Alyssa would take the Qi Clan's side, then it stood to reason that Woods would take their side as well.

"If that's the case, then you should announce it yourselves. Yet, you shall hold responsibility for whatever consequences that follow," Woods replied indifferently and abruptly.

Both Alexander and Samson looked at each other after such a pronouncement from

lready made their decision. They believe that our clan's beast master, my son Tate, performed magnificently in the last round. Therefore, they've decided that our Qi Clan should win the contest. According to the rules, as long as a high-ranking member of the royal family proclaims this result, it will be made official and announced to the public," Alexander explained, gesturing fervently.

"Oh, is that so? Woods, as you're so concerned about upsetting Alyssa, I'll take over the responsibility from your shoulders and announce the result instead. That way, if anything untoward happens, I'll take responsibility for it." A cunning smile crept onto Geoffrey's face.

Seeing the smirk, Woods was certain that Geoffrey wasn't here by chance. This was Geoffrey's intentional attempt at subterfuge, and he was well-prepared for it. Clearly, the Qi Clan had its sway on Geoffrey. They had the leverage for it too; should they win the competition, then the Qi Clan would likely become the biggest and most vital clan in the Timber Deity Empire. And with all that might push its support for Geoffrey, Woods would be in jeopardy.

Still, even though he already divined what was going on, Woods had no way to stop Geoffrey's plan directly. If he rejected Geoffrey's proposal, everyone might think that he was favoring the Cao Clan. Then, he would fall into an awkward situation and someone might use it against him someday.

For Lucilla and Lucas, the realization that Geoffrey was predisposed to siding with the Qi Clan shocked them. But they were helpless. There was nothing they could possibly do to stop Geoffrey. All they could do was to watch in abject horror as these people made the movements with the aim of trampling the Cao Clan soundly beneath their feet.